Curricular Interventions in Medical Schools: Maximizing Community Engagement Through Communities of Practice

Abstract

This article explains the importance of a communities of practice (CoP) model for continually aligning medical education and clinical transformation with contemporary health issues. It describes the evolution and advantages of using CoP as a model for transforming medical education and clinical practice and applies the CoP methodology to addressing the changing needs of socially vulnerable populations (LGBTQ [lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning], persons experiencing homelessness, and migrant farm workers). In conclusion, this article describes CoP-led activities, achievements, and value creation in medical education by the National Center for Medical Education Development and Research established at the Meharry Medical College.

Keywords: communities of practice; medical education, systematic review; primary care; vulnerable populations, LGBTQ.

Figure 1.

The developmental steps in the communities of practice created by the NCMEDR. NCMEDR = National Center for Medical Education Development and Research Reprinted with permission from Brown KYB, Ramesh A, Juarez PD, Matthews-Juarez P. Innovation in medical education: a communities of practice approach. In: Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice: International Approaches at Micro, Meso, and Macro Levels. Joosten-Hagye D and Khalili H, eds. Cognella Academic Publishing; 2022:244-253.

Figure 2.

Outcomes of the NCMEDR research activities on vulnerable populations. CoP = communities of practice; HRSA = Health Resources and Service Administration; LGBTQ = lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning; MOU = memorandum of understanding; NCMEDR = National Center for Medical Education Development and Research; PCT = primary care training; UC = University of California.